NLSLA Helps California Families Navigate Health Care

Associate Director of Policy & Litigation Cori Racela helped health journalist Emily Bazar bring attention to an issue that compromises the health of many low- and moderate-income Californians: the transition between Covered California and Medi-Cal.

In her article, “Bouncing Between Medi-Cal and Covered California,” Bazar looks at what happens to people’s coverage when they are pushed from Covered California-the state’s health insurance exchange-and Medi-Cal. Often, the transition puts their care and their health at risk.

Some people are switched because their income changes. Others, Racela told Bazar, are switched because of mistakes on the part of the agencies administering the programs.

“It’s the consumer who falls between the cracks,” Racela told Bazar.

Fortunately for consumers, Cori and our advocates within the Health Consumer Center are able to help navigate the health system and ensure patients are protected.

Emily Bazar’s column, “Ask Emily” is a project of the California HealthCare Foundation’s Center for Health Reporting, part of the USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. Her column is published in papers across California.